My Knight by Joy Rajan

                                                                                My Knight

                                                                                                        By Joy Rajan

I can't believe I got myself into this mess. I got set up on a blind date a year or so ago and it was okay at first but now she's being overly demanding. She keeps getting me to pay for her things and completely took over my apartment. It's a good thing it is under my name -I made sure she would never have a claim on it. But she keeps going on telling everyone it is hers. 

First of all I never agreed we could live together. She just showed up on day with all her stuff. And at the point it we had only casually dated. And when we went out she stuck me with the bill and talked about her and her friends and would not tel me talk. It had been six months. I guess she was desperate to move out of my parents place. I told her no. She made a massive scene. I wish till this day that I slammed the door on her face. But people were looking at me as though I was at fault. I  gave up. 

Now she has people over all the time without my consent. She's a pest. What was her name you ask? Pest. Okay it was Amelia. I still prefer Pest. I do have harsher more accurate names to call her but I just don't feel up to spewing them out at the moment 

To make it worse I believe one of the women she brings over frequently is someone she's involved with. Yes involved. (I took the liberty in purchasing noise cancelling earbud). If that's the case why is she telling everyone else that we were in a relationship? And bragging to everyone how great the sex was. I've never touched her. Couldn't stomach even holding her hand. What a awful woman ! I have tried over and over again to get her to move out. I've sought the help of lawyers but no luck. 

I caught her looking over my shoulder at my bank account. I changed my password and informed my bank -so my account gets screened regularly. It got so serious I had to get separate  internet accounts. One for her and one for myself. I locked her out of mine. She pays next to nothing. I got so fed up I don't buy groceries and eat out. I furnished my place even with second hand furniture and my bedroom and bathroom has been fitted with locks and I keep the keys to myself. Sounds awful? Wait till you hear that I have cable but only in my room. I have a three bedroom apartment. Ensuite is mine along with one other room. The living room, kitchen, and her room I avoid. Enough was enough. Seven months and I thought I would never be free of her.

I caught a break at last. My sister's friend had a cousin who was a lawyer. She agreed to help. Her's to hoping my case was strong -I could not wait to have my own place back. I was so relieved when I won the case. And Pest? She was evicted two months later. She packed up and left. 

I made sure when she cleared out that I was not there. Lydia and one of her colleague was was there in my stead keeping an eye on everything and also to ensure that she only took her own things. I gave Lydia a log of the items that were mine.  

When she finally left I went to work. I got the rooms cleaned out my place and repainted new. Got better furniture and re-decorated. It was aggravating and I was exhausted. But it had to be done. Even my building manager beefed up security and I got my locks changed as well. I invited my knight in suite over. Yes Lydia. Ha! I know cliche. But she literally saved my life.

"Lydia I can't tell you how grateful I am for you saving me from all this." "It was nothing. When your sister told me what happened I had to step in and help. I'm amazed at her audacity. Baffled even. She's absolutely cruel. Even now she keeps going on that you stole her place and kicked her out. I threatened her with a lawsuit but now she's going on that we're paying her to be quiet." I looked at Lisa and shrugged. "I wouldn't worry about it," I said rather confidently, "I went to the judge and went on record and showed him everything. He said it's all talk. They have facts and evidence against her. And in any case if she persists it would only make things worse for her." She nodded. "True," she said. I watched her and studied her face.

She had a kind face and even kinder eyes. I wasn't sure if it was true or not but my sister said she was gay. I felt nervous asking. I barely knew her. We had only met in passing. As far as I knew she wasn't seeing anyone. Wait. What's wrong with me? I bet you anything she isn't interested in me. But still I had hoped. She's so pretty and her intelligence was even more beguiling. I caught myself watching her admiringly at court. She was shorter than me but she had this strength and such presence. I was in awe of her.

 

"Can I ask you something Audrey?" She asked looking up at me. I could tell she was feeling nervous. Perhaps shy. She gave a slight smile. I smiled back at her. "Of course." I said assuringly. "Are you seeing anyone?" I froze. "No I'm not. Why do you ask?" "I just wondered if you'd like to go out with me some time." "A date?" I asked clearing my throat. I caught myself. I could feel my heart leap inside with delight. "Yes a date." She said. Her smile grew. Her beautiful brown eyes sparkled when she caught me gazing at her. "Of course." I said trying my best to contain my excitement. 

"I have a question though." I asked. "Yes?" "Would this not count as a date?" She blushed. "I got an idea. Let's go out for dinner. I'm dying for sushi" "O! I love sushi." I squealed. She laughed. I felt my heart melt. She was absolutely stunning. I followed her to her car and we went out for sushi. 

"How do you like it?" She asked me. I told her I loved it. Honestly, I had no idea this restaurant existed. The food was delicious and fresh and the price was reasonable. I was impressed had how generous they were with their portions. The sushi places my sister always went too were too costly and their rolls were a lot smaller.

I had a great time. I was nervous at first. I made every attempt to be cautious with what I said, my posture etc. but over time I felt myself relax. It was strangely easy to be myself around her. She did not seem swayed either way. She didn't cut me off or talk solely about herself. She was very gracious in her manner and extremely polite. We finished dinner and continued talking -sharing with each other our coming out stories and then on to more lighter topics like music etc. 

She dropped me back home. I showed her all the upgrades I did to my placed she was impressed. I turned the other room into a cosy guest room. I had plans to use it for something else, but was unable to when Pest showed up (Yes I'm calling her that) and ruined everything. I had to do a lot of repair work as well. I was grateful for one thing though -she didn't do any massive damage and was over all a tidy person. She just loved clutter. 

"Thank you for a lovely evening Lydia." "No, thank you. To be honest I've buried myself in my work for so long. I stopped dating when I went into law school and never gave it much thought. But I don't know -felt lonely. Felt-" "-Like something was missing." "Yes! That's exactly it. I felt life is passing me by and I wanted to have someone to share it with -a friend. Not asking for much. Just someone who's kind and as when I met you something just sparked. I saw you at your sisters wedding but I never thought someone as stunning as you wouldn't ever notice me. You have such a gentle disposition and a beautiful soul. I just hoped you would see me. I even thought to myself that if you'd smile at me or even just be around -I don't know." "No please don't stop." She looked at me. I could see a tear roll down her face. She wiped it away before I could. She sighed slightly and continued. "It made my day just to see your face. I felt happy. Like the world wasn't so bad." 

"Well I see you." I said gently. "I see your beautiful eyes and your lovely smile." I reached over and kissed her gently on her cheek. I felt her warm cheeks. She hugged me so tightly. I never thought I could feel this away about someone. Is this what it feels like to have someone who genuinely likes you. I walked her to her car. We held each other for awhile. Reluctantly we pulled away from each other. She texted me later to say she got home safe and wished me good night. 

We texted each other and called each other when we could. Business picked up in her firm. I couldn't see her as much. I didn't want to be rude so I avoided going to her office. For awhile our dates became scarce. She tried to come and see me but it became increasingly difficult. I missed her. When at last she called me. She was able to take time off. I crossed my fingers and hoped this would be it. It was. I was so grateful. I selfishly prayed that she'd be able to take time off work. It has been a trying three months. But she did her best, calling me even if was for a few minutes. Whenever she could, she would make time to check up on me. I did my best to give her space and not bother her too much. I didn't tell her at first but I saved all her voicemails and listened to them over and over again just so I would not forget the sound of her voice. That and her voice was just pure music.

She showed up at my place grinning.

"Come on, come in!" I said excitedly. "Thank you. Don't be mad but I did take a week off. I was wondering if I could spend the week here with you. I packed my bag but I wasn't sure how you would take it so I left it in my car." I laughed. "Of course you can stay. Come on you can move you car in the guess lot. I have a pass for you." I went with her to move her car and helped her bring her things. She had two bags. That was it? I thought.

I laid out dinner and she came out. Her beautiful soft silk hair was damp from shower. She was literally glowing. I forgot how silky her hair was. Absolutely soft and beautiful just like her. She notice that I was looking at her. She blushed slightly. I apologised.

" No. Don't ever apologise." She kissed me on my forehead and placed her hand on my shoulder. I felt all my anxiety fade when I felt her warm hand on me. 

After we ate I took out a small jewellery box. She looked at my stunned. 

"No, no, don't worry it isn't an engagement ring." "O." I looked at her. She caught herself. "O gosh I'm sorry." I laughed. So she wanted it to be. I wasn't wrong when I heard her disappointment. I let her open it. It was necklace with a cross. She looked up at me. 

"It was my mother's necklace. She gave it to me before she died. It was special to her and of course to me. I want you to have it. Just so you know that you're special to me." "Can you help me put it on." I stood up and put it on for her. First time I touched her bare shoulders. Her skin was so soft and absolutely perfect. She reached over and touch my right hand gently and kissed it. "You are so special to me too. I could barely sleep when I alone in my apartment. Couldn't get you out of my mind." I kissed her forehead and sat down. 

I caved. "I kept replaying your messages so I wouldn't forget the sound of your voice." She giggled. "Same." I laughed. We held ends. "Did you want to watch a movie?" I asked. She nodded. "You pick." I said gently. She leaped out and made her way to my DVD collection. I went to the cabinet (yes I have food now in my fridge and cabinet) and heated up some popcorn. She put in the movie. I looked over and it was BBC 1995 Pride & Prejudice. 

"That's my favourite!" "Mine too. I love Jane Austen." I looked at her and I knew she was someone I could spend the rest of my life with. I place the popcorn on the coffee table and handed her a throw. As she watched she moved closer and closer to me and at last she rested her head on my shoulder. I reached my arm over and drew her close. From then on we made sure we spent a weekend together -just the two of us. Didn't know how we managed it but we did. My schedule was flexible and it wasn't long before her boss became more gracious and let her take more time off. 

I looked over and saw my beautiful knight cuddled next to me. I had always dreamt that I would have someone special. And my Lydia is nothing but short of special -incredible. We've been married now for five years. And I feel like even till this day when we hold hands or kiss my heart would leap inside like the first time I caught her glancing my way. She rescued me -not just from my ordeal but in everything else. Even the simple day to day things of watching my favourite movie became more of a beautiful memory that just a means of escaping one's loneliness. She taught me what real love was and as my knight in shining armour -she rescued me from my dragon -yes Pest.

End.